Acolytes

Description
The Altar Servers of St. Louis Gonzaga Maronite Church are boys and young men who have received their First Communion and who wish to assist the priests, deacons and subdeacons in the sanctuary during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

Duties
Arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. Altar servers should not be in the sacristy alone. If there is no adult supervision, they should sit in the pews until others arrive. Talking must always be quiet and kept to a minimum. It is better not to wear shirts or pants with strong designs that show through the alb. Alter servers will enter the sacristy, and prepare for mass by putting on the alb (robe), cincture (rope belt), and the appropriate cross given.

During mass, certain responsibilities are designated to each individual acolyte by either the priest, deacons, or the co-captains. These responsibilities include:

Useful Terms
Alb: White robe worn by the priests, deacons, subdeacons and altar servers.
Altar: Large marble table in the center of the sanctuary. There are two other altars in the sanctuary dedicated to the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph.
Anaphora Book: Large book on the altar used during the Anaphora. There are 5 different books, corresponding to the liturgical seasons in the Church
Aspergillum: The liturgical instrument used to sprinkle people and objects with holy water.
Boat: Small vessel containing the incense that will be used with the thurible.
Chalice: Cup that holds the Blood of Christ in the form of wine.
Chalice Veil: Cloth used to cover the chalice and paten on the altar of preparation.
Ciborium: Cup with a lid that is used to store the consecrated hosts in the tabernacle.
Cincture: Belt made out of cloth worn around your waist; it acts like a belt.
Corporal: Square cloth with a cross in the middle that is place in the center of the altar. The chalice and paten are placed on this to catch any small crumbs of the Blessed Sacrament that may fall onto the altar.
Cruet: Small pitcher that hold either water or wine for use during the Mass.
Gospel: There are four Gospels: (in order) Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Only a priest or deacon can proclaim the Gospel.
Gospel Book: Book with a silver cover that is kept on the Saint Joseph Altar.
Lectern: Reading stand. There are two: (facing the congregation) the one on the left is where the lector reads the Epistle; the one on the right is where the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel.
Lectionary: A large book that contains the Scripture readings.
Pall: A linen cloth or a square of cardboard faced with cloth used to cover the chalice.
Paten: A small dish or bowl that holds the Body of Christ in the form of bread.
Preparatory Altar: Altar when the chalice and patens are filled with wine and water and hosts and covered with a pall and chalice veil.
Purificator: A small towel that is used to clean the chalices and patens used for the Divine Liturgy.
Sacristan: The person who takes care of the sacred vessels and vestments used at Mass.
Sacristy: Rooms in the church where the priests, deacons, servers, and lectors meet to vest and prepare themselves for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
Sanctuary: The area of the Church that contains the main altar.
Thurible: Metal vessel for the ceremonial burning of incense. It is also called a censer.
Thurifer: The one who carries the thurible and boat when needed.